48 . ASPARAGUS 



heavy can not be doubted. Where stable or barnyard 

 manure can be had cheaply, and the soil is heavy, a 

 liberal coat spread broadcast over the surface and left 

 to the adlion of the weather during winter will 

 ameliorate the ground considerably. In most cases, 

 however, the same objedl may be obtained by applying 

 the manure in spring. Joseph Harris mentions a case 

 in which a bed was plowed and subsoiled in the fall 

 and the soil filled with manure, while another bed 

 near by was planted without manure, or extra prepara- 

 tion of an}^ kind, relying entirely on artificial fertilizers 

 after planting, and the latter was by far the better bed. 

 As early in spring as the ground is in suitable condi- 

 tion to be worked it has to be plowed and harrowed 

 and brought into as perfect condition as possible. 



